Mood among Dutch consumers improves substantially

20/11/2013 15:00

Dutch consumers were far less pessimistic in November than in October. The consumer confidence index improved 9 points and reached – 18. For the first time since the spring of 2011, consumers were positive about the future economic situation.

Consumer confidence

The mood about the economic climate has improved substantially over the past few months. In November, the component indicator economic climate rose by 18 points to – 16. Consumers’ opinions about the economic situation over the next 12 months improved most, optimists outnumbering pessimists for the first time since the spring of 2011. Their opinions on the economic climate over the past 12 months also improved considerably.

Consumers’ willingness-to-buy also improved in November, though to a lesser extent than confidence in the economic climate. The component indicator willingness-to-buy improved from – 23 to – 19. Consumers’ expectations about their own financial situation were less negative, but they thought the time was less favourable to buy expensive items, like washing machines and TV sets, than in October.